Children asked to create new buddies.

CHILDREN across South Wales are being called on to come up with some new friends for Buddy - the NSPCC's new character promoting the ChildLine service.

The winning entry will win 30 webcams for their school with the new character joining Buddy in posters sent out to all primary schools in September, in schools activities and online. A mailshot sent to 106 primary schools in Cardiff provides information on how the competition can be incorporated into learning at Foundation phase and Key stage 2. Buddy and his friends will help tell younger children all about the ChildLine service, how it can help them solve problems and deal with their worries and why this is important.

It is part of a sixmonth-long campaign to encourage young people to express themselves and their feelings in a creative way. Ian MacArthur, of the NSPCC, said: "We need to continuously develop and build the relationship that children and young people have with ChildLine so that the service remains relevant."

Entries for the Buddy competition can be submitted through filling in the online submission form or via post. The closing date is Friday, June 26. Visit www.idea.me.uk/schools